With Ross Moriarty’s departure at the end of the season now confirmed, attention will quickly turn to who could replace the Wales international back rower at Gloucester.

Moriarty, who will join the Dragons, has gained a reputation as being one of the biggest ball carriers and tacklers in the northern hemisphere and finding someone to fill the boots of a player who was called up by the British and Irish Lions for their tour of New Zealand in the summer will be no easy task.

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Ross Moriarty

Here, we look at five players we think Gloucester director of rugby David Humphreys and head coach Johan Ackermann could have on their radar to fill the void that Moriarty will leave.

Jaco Kriel

Jaco Kriel and Johan Ackermann

Gloucester has been linked with a move for South African flanker Jaco Kriel, who played under Ackermann senior and alongside Ruan Ackermann in the back row at the Lions.

The Rugby Paper reported that the Cherry and Whites have set their sights on Kriel as the ideal replacement for Moriarty.

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The 28-year-old was highly thought of by Ackermann senior at the Lions and captained them in the 2017 Super Rugby final against Crusaders when Warren Whitely was out injured.

Kriel will play for Japanese side Kubota Spears in the Top League in the 2017-18 season but his contract with the Lions runs out in 2018.

He has also been strongly linked with Wasps but the Ackermann factor could prove to be a big influence.

Kwagga Smith

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 04: Kwagga Smith of Barbarians and Tawera Kerr-Barlow of New Zealand during the Killik Cup match between Barbarians and New Zealand at Twickenham Stadium on November 4, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images for Barbarians RFC)

Another Lions player who played a key role for the side under Ackermann, Kwagga Smith is thought to be interested in a move to the Premiership after the 2018 Super Rugby season finishes.

Smith previously played Sevens rugby, winning a bronze medal as part of the South Africa team at the 2016 Rio Olympics and gold at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

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The 24-year-old, capable of playing at openside or blindside, has pace and is mobile and skilful but he can also combine that with immense power and makes some huge hits.

Smith is yet to be capped by South Africa but was man of the match when the Barbarians played New Zealand earlier this month.

In the build-up to that game he shared a room with Gloucester’s Ruan Ackermann, who would no doubt have told his former team-mate all about life at Kingsholm and the current feel-good factor around the club.

Elliot Dixon

ROTORUA, NEW ZEALAND - JUNE 17: Elliot Dixon of the Maori All Blacks passes the ball as Jamie George of the Lions closes in during the 2017 British & Irish Lions tour match between the Maori All Blacks and the British & Irish Lions at the Rotorua International Stadium on June 17, 2017 in Rotorua, New Zealand. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Another back rower from the southern hemisphere who is reportedly keen on moving either to England or France next season.

Like Moriarty, Elliot Dixon can play at blindside flanker or number eight and would be seen as a like-for-like replacement so is likely to be on Gloucester’s radar.

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The 28-year-old has spent the last six years playing for the Highlanders and has won three caps for New Zealand.

Dixon recently told stuff.NZ: "It's always a good thing to stay, but if interest comes from overseas that I can't pass up, then I suppose I will go. Especially if it's in the benefit of my family."

Matt Todd

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - JUNE 11: Matt Todd poses for a portrait during the New Zealand All Blacks Headshots Session on June 11, 2017 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Gloucester have been linked with the New Zealand international in the past and it would represent a huge coup if they were to attract him to Kingsholm.

Speculation that Matt Todd could join the club last summer came to an end when he signed a new contract with NZ Rugby and the Crusaders but that only takes him up until the end of the 2018 Super Rugby season, meaning he could be available for the start of next season.

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Todd, 29, came off the bench to win his 13 cap for New Zealand against Wales on Saturday but Sam Cane has been Steve Hansen’s preferred number seven since Richie McCaw retired.

Although Todd is an openside flanker by trade, Gloucester already have plenty of options on the blindside and Moriarty’s departure could lead them to look at a way of redressing the balance in the back row with a lack of specialist scavengers following the departures of Matt Kvesic and Dan Thomas.

Jake Polledri

GLOUCESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 11: Jake Polledri of Gloucester scores a try during the Anglo-Welsh Cup match between Gloucester Rugby and London Irish at Kingsholm Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Gloucester, England. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images)

It could be that the man to step into Ross Moriarty’s shoes at Gloucester is already at the club.

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Jake Polledri’s background is very similar as a destructive young flanker who joined the club in the summer after some barnstorming performances for Hartpury.

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The 22-year-old is counted as an Academy player but has already broken into the senior squad, making his first Premiership start in the win at Newcastle on Friday night, and has performed impressively so far.

Even without Moriarty, Gloucester have strong back row options as they’ve shown so far this season in the Welshman’s absence and Polledri’s potential suggests he could be a key player for the club in the future.